Exodus 25:9

The sanctuary is to be constructed in accordance with a model shewn to Moses in the mount (v.40, Exodus 26:30; Exodus 27:8; Numbers 8:4). Gudea, king of Lagash (c. 3000 b.c.), was shewn in a dream, by the goddess Nina, the complete model of a temple which he was to erect in her honour: gold, precious stones, cedar, and other materials for the purpose were collected by him from the most distant countries (Rogers, Hist. of Bab. and Ass.i. 369 f.; Maspero, i. 610 f.).

the tabernacle] the Dwelling, Heb. mishkân, cognate with the verb rendered -dwell" in v.8. In AV. the word -tabernacle" (derived from the tabernaculumof the Vulg., and therefore meaning properly simply a -tent"), through a confusion originating with the LXX. (who in the Pent. rendered both words by σκηνή), was used indiscriminately for "ôhel(-tent") and mishkân(-dwelling"): in RV. the distinction has been preserved by rendering "ôhel-tent," and mishkân-tabernacle." This is undoubtedly a great improvement: the retention of -tabernacle" for mishkânhas, however, the disadvantage of obliterating the connexion between mishkân, -dwelling," and the cognate verb shâkan, to -dwell." Dwelling would have been the better rend. for mishkânthroughout.

As regards mishkân, it is to be observed that it is used in P in both in narrower and a wider sense. In its narrower, and stricter sense, it is used of the tapestry curtains with their supporting frames, which constituted the -Dwelling" par excellence(see Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:6; Exodus 26:15; and cf. Exodus 40:2; Exodus 40:6; Numbers 3:25); but in its wider sense it is extended so as to be a general term for the entire fabric of the sanctuary, including the -tent" and other coverings (Exodus 26:7; Exodus 26:14) over the -Dwelling" (so here, Numbers 16:9; Numbers 17:13, and elsewhere). Mishkân, in one or other of these technical senses, occurs about 100 times in P; and is used similarly a few times to Chr. (as 1 Chronicles 6:32; 1 Chronicles 16:39): otherwise the word is rare, and mostly poetical. The commonest expression (about 130 times) for the sanctuary as a whole is, however, the -Tent of Meeting" (see on Exodus 27:21).

furniture The wide term explained on Exodus 22:7, and including here all articles, vessels, utensils, &c., belonging to the sanctuary.

10 22 (cf. Exodus 37:1-9). The Ark, the most sacred and important of the articles contained in the sanctuary. The ark, as described by P, is an oblong chest of acacia wood, overlaid within and without with gold, about 3 ft. 9 in. long, 2 ft. 3 in. wide, and 2 ft. 3 in. deep; each of sides is finished with a rim, or moulding, of solid gold; and for its transport it is provided with two poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, which pass through four rings, attached to its four feet. Distinct from the ark, but resting upon it, is the -mercy-seat," or -propitiatory," a slab of solid gold, of the same length and breadth as the ark (its thickness is not stated): and near the ends of this, soldered securely into it, and facing each other, with their wings spread out over the mercy-seat, stand two small emblematic figures, the cherubim, made of beaten gold. Inside the ark are the two tables upon which the Decalogue is inscribed. From between the cherubim above the mercy-seat Jehovah -meets" Moses, and speaks with him (Exodus 25:22; Exodus 30:6; Numbers 7:89).